A government is the system or group of people that governs an organized community, usually a state or country
. It is the authority responsible for creating and enforcing laws, managing public policy, and providing services to its citizens
. Governments typically consist of three branches: the legislature (which makes laws), the executive (which implements laws), and the judiciary (which interprets laws)
. The government functions as the mechanism by which organizational policies are enforced and political power is exercised
. It sets rules for society, regulates relationships among members of the community, and maintains order and security
. Governments can take various forms, including democracies, monarchies, authoritarian regimes, and hybrids of these systems
. In many countries, governments operate under a constitution that defines their powers and responsibilities
. For example, the U.S. government is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each with distinct roles and checks on power to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
. In summary, government is the organized authority that directs and controls a political unit, ensuring the functioning, security, and welfare of society through lawmaking, enforcement, and adjudication